Results

The TechWhiz platform integrates three components: the Dictionary (PR1), the Gloss Loader (PR2) and the Studio (PR3). The TechWhiz Dictionary is an online glossary of technical terms explained in the sign language of the user. The dictionary is editable by registered users so teachers and sign language experts can create specific terms’ explanations and glossaries to meet specific needs in an open and free way. If the user searches for a term that is not yet available in the dictionary, an automatic explanation will be generated using artificial intelligence and web scrapping technologies.

The Dictionary is the core project result and the one that satisfies in its own the project goal. However, the explanations available at the Dictionary require the other two components which are the tools that support the creation and maintenance of the glossaries and the sign language explanations available for search at the Dictionary. You can find the Dictionary here.

The TechWhiz Gloss Loader allows experts from the technical fields to upload explanations in spoken language and sign language experts to load the corresponding sign language gloss (a gloss is a sequence of words from a spoken language that represent the signs in a sign language sentence). The Gloss Loader is a crucial component for a dynamic live dictionary since it will make the glossaries editable and maintainable by registered users. This video gives an overview of the TechWhiz Loader in operation. You can find the Gloss Loader here.

To showcase the results of the TechWhiz project, a course has been created which is freely available to all. The course consists of videos that introduce the purpose of the project, the elements that make up the final solution and individual tools are presented (TechWhiz Studio, Gloss Loader and Dictionary). The course also includes instructions on how to access these tools so that you can try them out for yourself. At the end of the course, there is also a certification, which you get by passing an exam that demonstrates your knowledge and ability to use the TechWhiz environment and its tools. The TechWhiz course is available at https://study.athenauni.eu/course/view.php?id=3 (Athena Moodle registration required). You can also watch the videos directly on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5iQGXGxQhvzAXs2cP_3BPd8_ybrujNRE.